The Independent Public Service Accountability Watch (IPSAW), in collaboration with the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance, has condemned the continued detention of the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
At a press briefing on Saturday, the Executive Director of IPSAW, Stephen Eriba, alongside the coalition’s representative, Godiya Adams, expressed concern over the EFCC’s alleged refusal to comply with a Federal High Court order directing that the commissioner be produced for arraignment.
Eriba said the refusal to present Adamu in court was worrisome, especially after Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a clear directive mandating the EFCC to produce the commissioner.
“Despite this directive, the EFCC has failed on more than one occasion to present Mr Adamu in court, thereby frustrating judicial proceedings and undermining the authority of the court,” he said.
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According to the activists, a six-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering has already been filed against Adamu, and the defence has expressed readiness for him to take his plea immediately. They added that the EFCC had confirmed in court that Adamu and other suspects had written to the Commission expressing willingness to honour invitations.
They faulted the anti-graft agency for what they described as an inconsistent stance, noting that the EFCC initially responded to a bail application without suggesting ongoing investigations but later cited the need to amend charges as justification for the continued detention.
“This sudden shift raises concerns. The move by the EFCC to seek a ‘uniform arraignment’ appears to be in bad faith,” the groups stated.
They commended the trial judge for describing the EFCC’s conduct as “unfair, unprofessional, and uncalled for,” questioning why charges were filed if the prosecution was not prepared to proceed.
The coalition also alleged that the commissioner’s detention had negatively affected governance in Bauchi State, claiming that more than 60,000 civil servants had not received salaries since his arrest due to stalled financial operations.
“This situation represents not merely a personal injustice to Mr Adamu, but a collective punishment imposed on the people of Bauchi State,” the statement read.
The coalition argued that the prolonged detention without arraignment violates Adamu’s fundamental rights to liberty, fair hearing, and timely judicial process as guaranteed by the Constitution.
It further suggested that the circumstances surrounding the detention raise concerns of “procedural abuse and possible political orchestration,” and called for urgent intervention.
The groups demanded the immediate production and arraignment of Adamu in accordance with the court order, respect for judicial authority, protection of his fundamental rights, and an end to what they described as avoidable disruption to governance in the state.
They also urged the judiciary, oversight bodies, civil society, and the international community to closely monitor the matter to ensure transparency and justice.
“IPSAW and the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance remain resolute in defending justice and ensuring that no political or institutional interest overrides the welfare of the Nigerian people,” they added.
